Highlights of prescribing information

MEDICATION GUIDE PRADAXA (pra dax’ a) (dabigatran etexilate mesylate) capsules
Read this Medication Guide before you start taking PRADAXA and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This Medication Guide does not take the place of talking with
your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment. What is the most important information I should know about PRADAXA? • PRADAXA can cause bleeding which can be serious, and sometimes lead to death. This is
because PRADAXA is a blood thinner medicine that lowers the chance of blood clots forming
• To find the best dose of PRADAXA for you, your doctor should test your kidney function
before you take your first dose of PRADAXA, and in some instances yearly there after.
• You may have a higher risk of bleeding if you take PRADAXA and:
have stomach or intestine bleeding that is recent or keeps coming back, or you have a stomach ulcer
take other medicines that increase your risk of bleeding, including:
o aspirin or aspirin containing products o long-term (chronic) use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) o warfarin sodium (Coumadin®, Jantoven®) o a medicine that contains heparin o clopidogrel (Plavix®) o prasugrel (Effient®)
• have certain kidney problems and also take the medicines dronedarone (Multaq®) or
ketoconazole tablets (Nizoral®). Tell your doctor if you take any of these medicines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if your medicine is one listed above.
• PRADAXA can increase your risk of bleeding because it lessens the ability of your blood to
it may take longer for any bleeding to stop
Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms of bleeding:
• unexpected bleeding or bleeding that lasts a long time, such as:
o unusual bleeding from the gums o nose bleeds that happen often o menstrual bleeding or vaginal bleeding that is heavier than normal
• bleeding that is severe or you cannot control • pink or brown urine • red or black stools (looks like tar) • bruises that happen without a known cause or get larger • cough up blood or blood clots • vomit blood or your vomit looks like “coffee grounds”
unexpected pain, swelling, or joint pain
Take PRADAXA exactly as prescribed. Do not stop taking PRADAXA without first talking to the doctor who prescribes it for you. Stopping PRADAXA may increase your risk of a stroke. PRADAXA may need to be stopped, if possible, for one or more days before any surgery, or
medical or dental procedure. If you need to stop taking PRADAXA for any reason, talk to the doctor who prescribed PRADAXA for you to find out when you should stop taking it. Your doctor will tell you when to start taking PRADAXA again after your surgery or procedure.See “What are the possible side effects of PRADAXA?” for more information about side effects. What is PRADAXA? PRADAXA is a prescription medicine used to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in people who have a medical condition called atrial fibrillation. With atrial fibrillation, part of the heart
does not beat the way it should. This can lead to blood clots forming and increase your risk of a stroke. PRADAXA is a blood thinner medicine that lowers the chance of blood clots forming in your body.

It is not known if PRADAXA is safe and works in children. Who should not take PRADAXA? Do not take PRADAXA if you:
currently have certain types of abnormal bleeding. Talk to your doctor, before taking PRADAXA if you currently have unusual bleeding.
have had a serious allergic reaction to PRADAXA. Ask your doctor if you are not sure.
What should I tell my doctor before taking PRADAXA? Before you take PRADAXA, tell your doctor if you:
• have kidney problems • have ever had bleeding problems • have ever had stomach ulcers • have any other medical condition • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if PRADAXA will harm your
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if PRADAXA passes into your
Tell all of your doctors and dentists that you are taking PRADAXA. They should talk to the doctor who prescribed PRADAXA for you, before you have any surgery, or medical or dental procedure. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some of your other medicines may affect the way PRADAXA works. Certain medicines may increase your risk of bleeding. See “What is the most important information I should know about PRADAXA?”
Especially tell your doctor if you take:
• rifampin (Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane, Rifadin)
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How should I take PRADAXA?
• Take PRADAXA exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
• Do not take PRADAXA more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You can take PRADAXA with or without food.
• PRADAXA comes in a bottle or in a blister package.
• Only open 1 bottle of PRADAXA at a time. Finish your opened bottle of PRADAXA before opening a new bottle.
• After opening a bottle of PRADAXA, use within 4 months. See “How should I store PRADAXA?”
• When it is time for you to take a dose of PRADAXA, only remove your prescribed dose of PRADAXA from your open bottle or blister package.
• Tightly close your bottle of PRADAXA right away after you take your dose.
• Swallow PRADAXA capsules whole. Do not break, chew, or empty the pellets from the
• If you miss a dose of PRADAXA, take it as soon as you remember. If your next dose is less
than 6 hours away, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses of PRADAXA at the same time.
• Your doctor will decide how long you should take PRADAXA. Do not stop taking PRADAXA without first talking with your doctor. Stopping PRADAXA may increase your risk of stroke.
• Do not run out of PRADAXA. Refill your prescription before you run out. If you plan to
have surgery, or a medical or a dental procedure, tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking PRADAXA. You may have to stop taking PRADAXA for a short time. See “What is the most important information I should know about PRADAXA?”
• If you take too much PRADAXA, go to the nearest hospital emergency room or call your
What are the possible side effects of PRADAXA? PRADAXA can cause serious side effects.
• See “What is the most important information I should know about PRADAXA?”
• Allergic Reactions. In some people, PRADAXA can cause symptoms of an allergic
reaction, including hives, rash, and itching. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you get any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction with PRADAXA:
 chest pain or chest tightness  swelling of your face or tongue trouble breathing or wheezing  feeling dizzy or faint
Common side effects of PRADAXA include:

• indigestion, upset stomach, or burning
Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
These are not all of the possible side effects of PRADAXA. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. How should I store PRADAXA?
• Store PRADAXA at room temperature between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C). After opening
the bottle, use PRADAXA within 4 months. Safely throw away any unused PRADAXA after 4 months.
• Keep PRADAXA in the original bottle or blister package to keep it dry (protect the capsules from moisture). Do not put PRADAXA in pill boxes or pill organizers.
• Tightly close your bottle of PRADAXA right away after you take your dose. Keep PRADAXA and all medicines out of the reach of children. General information about PRADAXA Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide.
Do not use PRADAXA for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give your PRADAXA to other people, even if they have the same symptoms. It may harm them. This Medication Guide summarizes the most important information about PRADAXA. If you would like more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for information about PRADAXA that is written for health professionals. For more information, go to www.PRADAXA.com or call 1-800-542-6257 or (TTY) 1-800-459-
9906.